coco's /feather dusters

gfox · #1 09/12/2005, 06:51 PM

I think that coco worms and feather dusters are very beautiful and a great addition to any reef aquarium. However, I rarely see them in these amazing and expensive fish tanks here on RC. This begs the question: why?

why do we not see more coco worms and feather duster in reef aquariums both large and small?

gallivanmk · #2 09/12/2005, 06:54 PM

I like coco worms, but neither one really interest me all that much... Some fish eat and pick at worms like that too, which may be why you don't see them as often in systems with many fish.

gfox · #3 09/12/2005, 07:01 PM

what fish that are common in reefs pick at these worms and dont pick at corals?

greenbean36191 · #4 09/12/2005, 07:27 PM

Not only fish, but also inverts pick at them. Some tangs and some "reef safe" angels, butterflies, and wrasses will pick at them.

I would say the biggest reason is that they generally don't do well long term in captivity since they need a lot of food and are hard to feed.

gfox · #5 09/19/2005, 05:33 PM

interesting
thanks
what are the feeding needs of a coco worm? I think they are awesome looking. What makes them so difficult?

greenbean36191 · #6 09/19/2005, 05:37 PM

They need lots and lots of phytoplankton which is extremely hard to give them in a closed system where you're also striving for low nutrients.

gfox · #7 09/19/2005, 05:46 PM

so feeding them marine snow or mysis shrim or the like wont work?

greenbean36191 · #8 09/19/2005, 07:32 PM

No. They can't eat anything bigger than phytoplankton. Zooplankton and other "invert" foods are too big.

BryanBusza · #9 09/19/2005, 07:41 PM

plus they're soo expensive. my lfs sells them for 50-60 a worm.

They are beautiful though. I wish you could frag 'em.